Sunday 8th  June  – Windsurf **** River Orwell at Levington –  sunny periods.

Foil – 19.03  knot max, 17.00 knot ave., 12.27  knot hour, 14.88 knot mile, 41.47 km., 15.25 knot alpha.

Starboard Freeride 150 and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Tushingham Storm 5.2.

With a good wnw breeze I headed over to Levington, arriving at the Marina at nine to make the most of the high tide which was around 11. Several were going to the River Stour but I didn’t fancy the 50 mile round trip into Essex when I have the Orwell on my doorstep which means I can get a sail and be home much quicker:) It looked good with loads of water so I quickly set-up my foil board, sail choice was harder with the wind slightly off at the launch but there was loads of white water in the middle of the river so I took a chance with my 5.2? Launching at 9.30 I quickly realised I had probably rigged too big and 4.7 might have been better especially as there was a big swell running down the middle of the river! I decided to stick with it as I slowly sailed down towards the corner and the session quickly turned into a gybe feast, the good thing about this direction is you could turn in flatter water both sides of the river where the wind was slighter lighter too. I was great to be out in the sunshine, just me and a few yachts out in the challenging conditions with the wind gusting to at least 25 knots! After loads of runs across the corner I was getting knackered so decided to beat back to the marina entrance and was surprised to see I had been joined on the water by three wingers and a young lady out on a windsurfer with a 4.7 sail with the wingers on 4 and 5m wings! I then had a few runs in front of the launch spot, with the tide now heading out the river had become much flatter but the wind was more up and down so after two hours I decided to call it a day and head ashore. I took several pics of the others, had a quick snack, shower, the toilet block code number had changed  but I managed to get in the disabled shower before calling in at the Marina office for the new number and I was still home before one, top session:)

Walk ***** - Around Felixstowe with Maeva:)

Mag had had a top day in her lovely little garden, we had no plans for the afternoon but then we got a message from our son asking if we could have the lovely Maeva for a few hours and we jumped at the chance! Dan brought her after her sleep and stopped for a chat before I made her lunch before we decided to go for a walk down to Felixstowe seafront stopping at the pier to buy some sugar donuts, the first we have had for years now! We then sat on a concrete groyne enjoying the donuts with several gulls watching including one trying to eat a starfish which was pretty gross! We then spent ages throwing pebbles into the sea which Maeva absolutely loves, she then stomped nearly all the way back to our house for a quick snack before her Dad picked her up, we had a wonderful time, what a magic day:)

PS – my collection of Marc Bolan and T. Rex records/memorabilia are going to auction on June 18th, if you are interested please check out the link below:)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10231730794025501

https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/1e164c2624f28fd3d30c23d3bcfa3856/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/memorabilia-and-collectables-auction/?currentPage=4